Lions bounce back in Currie Cup with Boland win

Having lost to Griquas the Golden Lions Golden Lions got back on to the Currie Cup-winning trail by thrashing the Boland Cavaliers 60-12 at Ellis Park on Friday.

The Lions ran in nine tries to two in a dominant second-half display as the Cavaliers lost their discipline in defence and with their handling after being competitive for large periods of the opening 40 minutes.

The men from Wellington ran out of steam in the second half as the combination of altitude and the home team finding their rhythm saw the Lions running in two tries within 14 minutes after half-time to secure the victory.

The defending champions got off to a flying start as wings Selom Gavor and Anthony Volmink ran in two five-pointers within the opening 13 minutes.

But the Boland pack worked their way into the game gradually and starting putting together some well-organised mauls, while their loose trio of No 8 Wayne Wilschut, Shaun McDonald and Shaun Adendorff got over the advantage line with strong ball-carries.

Captain and centre Ryan Nell sparked the Cavaliers’ first try when he stepped past a number of Lions defenders in the 27th minute, and the ball was sent out to lock Joubert Horn, who burst through the tackles of Steph de Wit and Pieter Scholtz to dot down under the posts.

Both teams started to fall off their tackles, and the Lions capitalised as they found good width on their attack through hooker Ramone Samuels and blindside flank Victor Sekekete, who kept the ball alive before centre Howard Mnisi delivered the scoring pass to impressive scrumhalf Dillon Smit to round off.

Young No 9 Smit became increasingly influential as the game wore on, with his snappy service and ability to spot a gap around the fringes causing havoc with the Boland defence.

And even when Boland pulled one back through Wilschut off a well-executed lineout drive, the Lions replied on the stroke of half-time through outside centre Jacques Nel to lead 27-12 at the break.

The Lions forwards improved their accuracy in the second half, with big No 7 Sekekete catching the eye with his speed and skill by scoring twice, while the backs kept up the pressure, with No 12 Mnisi pulling the strings on attack.

Boland conceded two yellow cards in the last quarter, and Lions replacement back JW Bell brought up the 50 points in the 76th minute.

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